Linear Sigma Models for Open Strings

TL;DR

This paper develops supersymmetric gauge theories that model open strings on D-branes in Calabi-Yau spaces, capturing both geometric and non-geometric phases and transitions between them.

Contribution

It introduces a class of massive N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories that interpolate between geometric and non-geometric D-brane phases in Calabi-Yau compactifications.

Findings

Models reproduce large-radius monodromies and excitation spectra.

Describe brane behavior across different Calabi-Yau phases.

Provide worldsheet descriptions of stability and phase transitions.

Abstract

We formulate and study a class of massive N=2 supersymmetric gauge field theories coupled to boundary degrees of freedom on the strip. For some values of the parameters, the infrared limits of these theories can be interpreted as open string sigma models describing D-branes in large-radius Calabi-Yau compactifications. For other values of the parameters, these theories flow to CFTs describing branes in more exotic, non-geometric phases of the Calabi-Yau moduli space such as the Landau-Ginzburg orbifold phase. Some simple properties of the branes (like large radius monodromies and spectra of worldvolume excitations) can be computed in our model. We also provide simple worldsheet models of the transitions which occur at loci of marginal stability, and of Higgs-Coulomb transitions.